Alaric had finished his cup of wine and was pouring himself another. “A French ship dropped anchor at Sidmouth beach, and the dispatch was brought to St. Peter’s church,” he said. “The messenger was looking for a priest who is a known supporter of Louis, but instead, he mistakenly gave it over to a priest loyal to Lord Sidbury. It was that priest who brought it to Lord Sidbury, and he opened it. When he saw that it was about Blackchurch, he thought Henry should know right away. Henry lost Gascony and now we know it was because of Blackchurch. They reinforced Louis’ ranks.”
Myles was greatly confused. “But the Blackchurch Guild does not take sides in a conflict,” he said. “Almost two hundred years of precedence says that they remain neutral.”
Alaric dipped his head at the envelope. “They are not neutral any longer,” he said. “Henry must know.”
Brenton looked at Myles. The two of them stared at one another, silent words of shock and confusion and concern passing between them. The missive made absolutely no sense because everyone knew that the Blackchurch Guild only trained warriors. It did not supply armies to kings. It did not takesides. That was how it had survived all of these years, free from conflict or wars, even when it had been begged for support. But if this missive was true and it had finally taken sides, enough so that the English king lost his properties in France, then the consequences were unfathomable.
Blackchurch had sounded its death knell.
“I’m going to Westminster,” Brenton said. “I know the king personally. I shall put it right in his hand.”
Alaric hadn’t been expecting that offer and was caught off guard. “But… it is my duty,” he said. “Lord Sidbury will be displeased if I let anyone else complete my task.”
“I understand,” Brenton said patiently. “But I am a knight. I have taken an oath to the Crown. If you are certain you can get past Henry’s guards to deliver this missive to him, then you should go. But if there is any doubt that you might not be successful, you must let me take it. I can get past his guards and make sure he reads this personally. Will you let me do this?”
Alaric was hesitant. “I… I do not know if…”
“It is too important to be left to chance. Youknowthis.”
Alaric looked between Brenton and Myles before finally shaking his head. “Nay,” he said. “I cannot. It is my duty. Though I am grateful that you defended me against that madman, the truth is that I do not know either of you. I cannot give this over to you.”
Brenton stood up, grasping Alaric by the arm and pulling him to his feet. “Come,” he said. “You and I are going to go outside to discuss this where no one can hear us. Come along.”
Alaric didn’t have a choice. Brenton was a big man, and he was quite strong, and Alaric was pulled out of the tavern as Myles sat there with the dispatch on the table in front of him. He wasn’t quite sure what Brenton’s game was, but all would be revealed in good time. He knew the man had a reason.
Pouring himself more wine, he waited.
Several minutes later, Brenton returned to the tavern. But he was alone. Myles watched curiously as Brenton returned to the table, collected his half-empty cup, and drained it. Then he poured himself another.
“Where is Alaric?” Myles finally asked.
Brenton wouldn’t look at him. “That dispatch is from Louis,” he muttered. “It is to St. Denis de Bottreaux, the Earl of Exmoor and the leader of the Blackchurch Guild. Why in the hell would Louis be sending Lord Exmoor a dispatch thanking him for his support?”
“I do not know,” Myles said. “But it is a coincidence that we were just speaking of Blackchurch earlier, is it not?”
Brenton took another drink of wine, staring off into the common room as the noise and laughter and stench went on around them.
“Something’s not right,” he finally said. “IsBlackchurch actually betraying England? Have they finally decided to take sides?”
“It is a mystery.”
Brenton didn’t like that answer. Something inside him was building into a rage. “If they are taking sides, then my cousin is part of it,” he said. “If heispart of it, all of the House of de Royans will be blamed. My father will be blamed.Iwill be blamed. And I’ve worked too hard to be branded a traitor by association.”
“What are you going to do?”
Brenton looked at him then. “Go to Blackchurch,” he said simply. “Talk to my cousin and find out what he knows. Let me find out if that dispatch is authentic before we decide to do anything about it.”
“I take it you’re not going home to see your father now.”
Brenton shook his head. “And I am not going to Farringdon House to see Peter,” he said. “I’m going to Devon to get to the bottom of this.”
Myles understood completely. “If my opinion matters, I do not think it is legitimate,” he said. “Blackchurch is many things, but a traitor is not among them. I would be willing to stake my life on it.”
That seemed to bring Brenton some relief. “As would I,” he admitted. “But this dispatch in the wrong hands would be devastating. Will you come to Devon with me?”
Myles nodded. “I think I’d better,” he said. “I want to see how right I am about Blackchurch.”
“Hopefully, you are completely right.”
